One-pot one-step detection platform for severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus via the CRISPR/Cas12a detection system

Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus (SFTSV) is a tick-borne virus that primarily causes SFTS. Although a common testing route is available, a timely, conventional and accurate method for SFTSV detection is urgently needed. In the present study, we established a platform that combines the recombinase polymerase amplification (RPA) assay with the clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats-CRISPR associated proteins (CRISPR/Cas) 12a technique in one step in one pot. The procedure can be completed within 45 min at a constant temperature without a sophisticated instrument. This method targets the S gene of SFTSV, with a detection limit (LoD) of 11.7 copies per reaction and high specificity, without cross reactivity with other pathogens. Furthermore, across 46 test samples, this method achieved 89.13% consistency with the PCR method (41/46). Together, the reaction system developed in the present study provides not only a novel method for SFTSV detection but also an alternative method for detecting RNA viruses.